Hartland

August 10, 2006

In 1720, Hartford proprietors -- those whose names appeared on the tax lists in that year -- were given western land grants, called Hartford land, in what now is the town of Hartland. The town's population is approximately 2,012.

The first permanent settler was Thomas Giddings, who came to Hartland from Lyme on June 12, 1754. The town was incorporated in 1761.

People live scattered throughout the 34.60 square miles of the hilly town. At least 75 percent of the land is owned by the state or the Metropolitan District Commission.

The town is governed by a three-member board of selectmen and a finance board. Residents participate through town meetings.

Major attractions in Hartland include the 220-year-old First Church in Hartland Congregational in the center of East Hartland, and Gaylord House, a museum and meeting place for the Hartland Historical Society. Residents finished restoring the 148-year-old house in 1989.

FOR EMERGENCIES: 911

Municipal information

Ambulance: Call 911 for emergencies; for both West Hartland and East Hartland, call 860-567-3877 (Litchfield dispatch).

Police: State Police Troop B, main number, 860-824-2500 and 1-800-497-0403.

Post offices:

East Hartland post office, 23 South Road 06027, postmaster, Debbie Washington, 860-653-6423. There is no longer a post office in West Hartland. Residents of West Hartland receive their mail through the Riverton Post Office.

Refuse disposal: Information: Highway Garage, 860-653-1259.

Residents must contract with a private hauler or use the town transfer station on Welsh Road, open Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday evenings during July and August, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

All glass, tin cans, metal, newsprint, corrugated cardboard, and fluorescent light tubes must be separated from trash and deposited in the proper containers at the station. Used car batteries (no household batteries) antifreeze, and oil should be left at the town garage, 12 Welsh Road -- call first 860-653-1259 and label properly.

Town hall: 22 South Road, 860-653-6800; first selectman's office open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon; town clerk's, tax collector's and assessor's offices open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All offices closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Town meetings:

Board of selectmen meets the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the town office building, 22 South Road.

Board of education meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Hartland Elementary School.

Planning and zoning commission meets the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall building.

Wetlands commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. in the town hall building.

Board of finance meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall building.

Recreation Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall building.